Aesthetic Thoughts for the Classroom NTA August 2, 2012

1. Aesthetic Thoughts for the Classroom NTA August 2, 2012

2. TODAY’S OBJECTIVES: PWBAT better leverage their physical classroom to support learning and engagement for all. PWBAT identify places to procure classroom supplies. PWBAT evaluate various classrooms for their aesthetic elements.

3. ENVIRONMENT MATTERS!

4. COLOR • Red Raises a room’s energy level and excites. Raises BP, breathing, heart rate • Crimson Makes people irritable and hostile • Yellow Communicates happiness and is uplifting/ energizing. As main color, people more likely to lose tempers & babies more likely to cry • Blue Reduces BP, heart rate, and breathing. Too light can be ‘frosty’; Too dark = sad • Green Most restful for eye. Relaxing and stress-reducing • Purple Dramatic, rich, sophisticated. Lighter versions are restful and warm • Orange Exciting, energetic. Boosts energy • Dark=smaller; Light=larger

5. LIGHT • Harness natural light first. • All students should be 3-5 feet from a light source. • Fluorescent thoughts • What is your plan to reduce light levels when using multimedia?

6. CLEANLINESS Subtext: • I am organized. • I care about this class and value this school. • I don’t lose assignments/work. • I am a professional who can handle things and take this job seriously. • I am proud of this school and what I do. • Broken Windows theory

7. PERSONALIZATION/WARMTH • Identity claims -tell the world who we are or reinforces an identity to self • Feeling regulators -things that motivate, relax, inspire, and cheer • Behavioral residue -clues about a person’s habits, actions, and thought

8. CEILING • It’s 1/6 of your physical space!!! • Typically, it is the primary lighting source in our classrooms • Think of your dentist’s office . . . • Only a small fraction of teachers do anything with their ceiling – so consider its power!

9. ORGANIZATION • Helps students find and use class materials and resources • Leverages the physical environment to support learning goals • Projects a subtext of teacher capability, awareness, and commitment • Teacher organization through modeling and experience

10. PROCEDURAL FLOW • Teacher space is minimal. • Helps start and end class smoothly and quickly • Effective use of the classroom to support procedures can free teacher to focus on other things • Promote student responsibility; structure is calming for students

11. SONIC ARCHITECTURE • Reduce distractions • Support learning

12. TEMPERATURE & SMELL • Too hot = irritability • Too cold = sleepiness • FRESH AIR thoughtsfor comfort of temperature and smell • Consider your kids with breathing issues, allergies, and chemical sensitivities with candles, scented oils & cleaning products

13. WALLS • Keep them updated. • Showcase and celebrate student work and successes. • Post instructionally helpful materials for course. • Be mindful of the distraction breakpoint! • Change them periodically. • Differentiation room use

14. KINESTHETIC AREAS • Jonathan Mooney’s presentation last year about channeling kinesthetic learners and children with hyperactivity challenges • Multiple intelligence knowledge and brain-based learning privilege • Kids like choice!

15. CONSIDER ATTENTION “Less is more.” -Mies van der Rohe

16. DESIGN ELEMENTS Balance/Weight • Symmetrical • Asymmetrical • Radial Focal Point • Color • Purpose • Light Rhythm • Repetition of the same elements throughout the room • Attention to room transitions

17. POWER POINT THOUGHTS • Rule of 1-2-3 • Purpose???? • Watch font style and size for ELL/SPED students • Minimizing text length and density • Relevant visuals!!! • SMART connect • Embedded LSV • Sounds • Student accountability • Keep it CLEAN & SIMPLE

18. DON’T FORGET YOUR VIRTUAL CLASSROM!

19. WHERE to GET STUFF • www.posters.com • Teaching Stuff www.teachingstuff.com • Treasures4Teachers www.treasuresforteachers.org • IKEA • Lakeshore Learning www.lakeshorelearning.com • www.teacherstorehouse.com

20. AUDIT a few CLASSROOMS! • Using the physical environment audit tool, assess assigned classrooms with your partner • For any score below a ‘C’, identify solutions that would improve the learning environment

21. CONSIDER YOURS! • Take a moment to reflect on how you want your classroom to look and be organized. • Identify key goals, resources, and strategies that will be important for creating the most optimum learning environment

22. OBJECTIVE REVIEW: PWBAT better leverage their physical classroom to support learning and engagement for all. PWBAT identify places to procure classroom supplies. PWBAT evaluate various classrooms for their aesthetic elements

23. CLASSROOM AUDITAPPENDIX

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